tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28287843248852689912024-03-05T07:50:16.512-05:00The Random ScreamDoesn't always happen on a regular basis, doesn't always scream...but it does contain some of the strange thoughts that rattle around inside my head.Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-61885094304109354542020-04-10T07:48:00.001-04:002020-04-10T07:48:40.986-04:00The Saddest DayAs many of my friends and all of my family know, I grew up in the fire service. From the time I was old enough to walk, I spent countless hours in the fire house, learning about the big red trucks, the piles of hose, nozzles, air packs, turnout gear and the various and sundry tools necessary to perform as a firefighter. I knew from the first time I ever went there that one day I would be on the job.<br />
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I grew up in a small town in Upstate NY, where the fire department was the hub of the community and all the services were provided by volunteers. Invariably, one of my uneducated friends will offer up that it is a shame that we couldn't afford "professional" fire protection. Let me set the record straight right now. Being paid to be a firefighter does not make you a professional, nor does serving as a volunteer make you an amateur. Regardless of your pay status, if you are in the firefighting business, you had best be a professional, because if you aren't, you will be tomorrow's statistic.<br />
<br />Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-12389829012424365612020-04-10T07:47:00.000-04:002020-04-10T07:47:54.175-04:00Education in NCThe North Carolina legislature is at it again. Once more, they are wrestling with budget concerns, once more, they see education as a place to make cuts. I am seriously wondering how many of these buffoons made it beyond sixth grade.<br />
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Instead of looking to trim the fat by slashing important programs like More at Four and Smart Start, both early education programs with a proven track record, the legislators need to look at some of the real culprits. There is plenty of waste in the system without penalizing the children that need services the most.<br />
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The first place to cut is obvious. Charter schools are nothing more than a sham education system developed solely to serve elitist parents that feel their children are too good for public schools. Sorry, but if the public school isn't good enough for your child, then you pick up the tab for sending them to some form of alternative schooling. Not one cent of taxpayer money should be used to fund private education.<br />
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Another effective cost cutting measure would be to eliminate the absurd number of administrative positions. If one administrator can't handle the demands of 500 students, they aren't doing the job they are trained and being paid for. The primary job of many assistant principals appears to be collecting their paycheck. Sorry, but that isn't effective use of tax dollars.<br />
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The school calendar also needs some attention. Teacher "work days" are another example of a system gone amok. Nationwide the average number of "work days" is six....until recently, it was twenty in NC. That number has since been reduced to fifteen, but that is still more than double the national average. Mountain schools are struggling to meet the required 180 days of classroom instruction and yet, they are required to take "work days" during good weather that could be better utilized as classroom days.<br />
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It fascinates me that NC schools start their school year a month before public schools in NY and PA....and yet they can't manage to fit in the required classroom days even with an extra 30 days penciled in to the calendar. Lest you are one of the fools that thinks NY and PA are nothing more than concrete jungles where every child is within walking distance of the school, I have to inform you that you are sadly mistaken. Many areas of NY and PA are as remote, if not more so than the "wilds" of western North Carolina. The weather is also a far bigger issue in the northern states, but they have learned to adapt. Yes, they are forced to take a snow day on occasion, but they don't close down the minute the local forecaster predicts a single flake of snow.Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-91246499451548787302020-04-10T07:45:00.000-04:002020-04-10T07:45:08.998-04:00Has the Time Come to Abolish Political Parties?I seriously wonder what we teach our kids in school today. For some reason, it appears that a vast majority of Americans don't seem to understand exactly who their elected officials are supposed to represent. Folks, we do not elect people to go to Washington or Raleigh or even to Asheville to represent the Democratic Party or the Republican Party. We elect people to represent their constituents. Period.<br />
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Suppose I choose to register as a Democrat and eventually get myself elected to Congress. I haven't been here two days and already someone has decided that it is time to make an assault on the Second Amendment to our Constitution. It seems that every "real" Democrat believes that guns are the root of all evil and that by eliminating guns, we would eliminate all forms of crime and strife in America. Perhaps I live in a more enlightened corner of our nation, but by and large, the vast majority of people living here realize that guns are no more responsible for crime than bananas. <br />
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The pundits, big-wigs and party faithful are circling the troops in DC in preparation for a heated battle on the floor of . Come stand in this corner son, your name tag says you are a Democrat and therefore, you must stand here with those of us that wish to outlaw guns.Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-8372571325481992192020-04-10T07:40:00.000-04:002020-04-10T08:19:06.746-04:00Nixon, Watergate, China, and Today<div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_18fx">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On
August 9, 1974 President Richard M. Nixon stepped down in shame, the
Watergate Investigation bringing an end to his term of office. Then
Vice-President Gerald Ford was sworn into office and many felt as if a
great weight had been lifted from America's shoulders. Let's revisit
that time for a moment...as it altered the course of the world in ways
we are only just starting to comprehend.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> August of 1974 was a
much simpler time for me. A recent high school graduate, I found myself
on an extended camping/canoeing trip in a remote section of the
Adirondack Mountains of New York, with a group of friends and chaperones
from the Ecology Club of Candor Central School. We had tirelessly
worked recycling newspapers and then selling them to a scrap dealer,
long before recycling was the norm, to fund our trip. The trip was an
incredible opportunity for all of us involved, and I think we each grew
personally as a result of our experience. We were isolated and insulated
from the outside world...a time long before cell phones and pocket
internet, we didn't even have a transistor radio with us. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> For a
number of days, we enjoyed the serenity of one of Mother Nature's most
pristine playgrounds. We paddled countless rivers and lakes, swam in
cool, clear waters, camped in idyllic forest settings, dined on the
"finest" dehydrated and freeze-dried entrees of the day, supplemented by
the fresh catch of the day from the mountain waters,followed by
spending our evenings enjoying the campfire and the sky filled with
endless stars.Life was grand and we had no clue what was happening
outside our small circle. Life was good!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> As our trip was nearing
conclusion, we found ourselves camped on the shores of Weller Pond. The
plan was to camp there for two nights, so that we might have some time
to get in a couple of hikes into the surrounding mountains. While
enjoying the fire on our first night there, we decided that the
following day, a small contingent of us would paddle to nearby Saranac
Village to purchase some fresh supplies for a last night feast. Funds
were pooled and we decided on a spaghetti dinner, with some sort of
available snack for dessert.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> At mid-morning on August 10th, we set out on our supply mission. Norm Szwec, Tom Cavataio,
and I (it seems like there might have been an additional 2 or 3 people
that were also along) began the two hour paddle into Saranac Village.
The trip in was uneventful, we took our time and enjoyed the sights.
Arriving in town, we found a spot to secure our canoes and set off in
search of a nearby store. Things were about to get crazy.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> We
spotted a store no more than 100 yards from where we landed. Our party
immediately set off in search of the required provisions. Upon entering
the store, we were greeted with racks of newspapers, all bearing the
same shocking headline. "President Ford declares our long national
nightmare is over." We stood in stunned silence while the news set
in....followed by a spontaneous celebration of whooping and hollering,
handshakes and hugs, and giant grins. The local patrons looked at us as
though we were insane. We decided to make a couple of small alterations
to the menu and purchased our supplies. The clerk asked if we had been
under a rock somewhere, as everyone knew this would be happening for the
past few days. We explained that we had been on this trip without any
outside contact. The locals still gave us the side eye as we gathered up
the provisions...yes, we got the stuff to make spaghetti, but for a
treat we purchased 3 six-packs of beer and a couple bottles of some
cheap wine (before anyone gets their panties in a wad, 18 was the legal
drinking age then), a few bags of Oreos and a couple bags of potato
chips.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Supplies in hand, we rushed back to the canoes and paddled
furiously back to camp to share the news with the rest of the group.
To say that everyone was stunned would be a vast understatement. Once
everyone had returned to camp from their day's activities, dinner was
prepared and enjoyed by all. Dishes were finished, the campfire stoked
and we sat down to discuss how the world had changed.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> It was very
difficult for any of us to find a silver lining to Nixon's Presidency,
but we finally decided that even though there was a lot of bad to be
seen, he might still be remembered as a "good" President as a result of
his efforts to normalize relations with China. You have to remember
that we were still at the height of the Cold War, China had the bomb,
and Americans in general had a huge distrust of what they might do with
it. By establishing diplomatic relations and establishing trade, most
people felt that the threat was over...leaving only the Russians and
their puppet states as the "enemy".</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Looking back over the past 46
years, one has to wonder if normalizing relations with China was as
good an idea as it once seemed. Our markets are flooded with cheap
products, many of which are vastly inferior to products produced
elsewhere. This has resulted in the loss of American jobs. China
continues to violate human rights, worker's rights, child rights and by
most accounts, continues to purge their citizenry of dissidents, those
seeking religious freedom and persons the government deems inferior. The
Chinese government still controls the media and actively censors
information both in and out of the country.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> While China didn't
exactly drop "the bomb" on us. They still hold over 1 trillion dollars
of our National Debt. We still buy products and services from them, that
has a negative impact on the American work force. And we continue to
purchase food and medicine from them which are not subject to the same
protections for the consumer as foods and medicines produced by "Free
World" nations.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Before you label this as a xenophobic rant,
understand this...I hold no ill will towards any man, woman or child
because of their race, religion, creed, nationality, ethnicity or other
factor. That said, there is a vast difference between the ordinary
citizens of China and the Chinese government, same as there was a huge
difference between citizens of the former Soviet Union and the
government of the Soviet Union. The desires and intentions of the
Chinese, Soviet (now Russian) and some other governments is typically
far different than the wishes and beliefs of the people. I don't for one
minute believe the general populace of China, Russia, Iran, or North
Korea hold any ill will towards ordinary Americans, nor should there be
any reason for Americans to hold any ill will towards citizens or
descendants of those nations. It is the governing powers of nations that
spread hate, distrust, and corruption across all our nations.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I
firmly believe that virtually all people would prefer to live their
lives in peace, prosperity and happiness, the sole exception being those
few power hungry miscreants that somehow end up in power over the rest
of the world population.</span></span></div>
</div>
Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-84553519366543325232013-04-18T02:35:00.001-04:002013-04-18T02:35:28.292-04:00Common SenseThe death of a child is a tragedy. The death of an adolescent is a tragedy. The death of a teen is a tragedy. The death of an adult is a tragedy. The death of a senior citizen is a tragedy. Let's face it, to someone, somewhere, the loss of any human life is tragic. Unfortunately, many politicians have decided that some deaths are more tragic than others, for nothing more than furthering their own political agenda. Parading the victims of gun related violence around like trained circus monkeys is criminal. Yes, their pain is real, yes, the horrors inflicted on them are real, but is their tragedy any more tragic than that brought about by any other method?<br />
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Recently, a four month old little girl died as the result of sexual abuse at the hands of her father. Take a minute and think about this. Was this crime any less horrific than what happened at Sandy Hook? I think not. Both events were the acts of a person with a very sick mind. And yet, because a gun wasn't used, there is nowhere near the coverage of the death of that little girl. There is no politician fanning the flames of public opinion on the matter, there is no politician demanding that every male be castrated least he decide to take indecent liberties with a baby...and yet, the fact remains that her death was no less horrific, no less tragic than the deaths of anyone else.<br />
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Don't get me wrong, what happened in both cases was absolutely vile and offensive, uncalled for and possibly even preventable. Mental health problems are at the core of virtually all of these heinous crimes, but instead of focusing on the real cause, we find ourselves being told that we need to blame an inanimate object for an act committed by a human.<br />
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Yesterday, a very sick individual or group of individuals decided to use a household pressure cooker, some nails, some ball bearings and other assorted benign objects to craft a series of bombs, which were then unleashed against a crowd of harmless, innocent victims. The explosions wreaked havoc, causing the loss of both life and limb, forever changing the lives of countless people. Was there an immediate cry from anyone demanding a background check on all persons purchasing pressure cookers, nails or ball bearings? No...we instead realized that it wasn't the inanimate objects used, but the deranged mind of the perpetrators what was responsible for the carnage. Why is it that virtually everyone can understand the proper blame to assign in this instance, but they can't seem to employ the same rational thought process when a firearm is involved?<br />
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If a drunk driver runs a stop sign and crashes into a loaded school bus, killing and injuring dozens of children, do we immediately seek to ban cars? If an individual driving down the road, playing with their cell phone, plows into a crowded restaurant, do we seek a ban on phones? If someone walks into a grocery store and starts stabbing people with a butter knife, do we seek a ban on cutlery? Obviously, the answer is no. We look to the cause of the problem, the human behind the act and precede accordingly. You don't arrest cars, phones and cutlery, you arrest and prosecute the criminal that committed the act. <br />
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Chicago has the toughest gun laws in the nation and yet gun related crimes there are statistically astronomical compared to the rest of the country. Banning guns does not stop crime, if anything, it serves to intensify it. I honestly think we need to sit down and evaluate our current laws, determine what the failing points are, and correct and (and even more importantly) enforce those laws. Something is very wrong with our system when a murderer spends less time in jail than a teenager caught with a "joint" in his pocket.<br />
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The time has come to look to some real solutions to these problems:<br />
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1. If you commit a crime with a gun, you go to jail...not for 5 minutes, but for a meaningful period of time. Twenty years sounds like a good starting point.<br />
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2. If you kill someone during the commission of a crime, you go to jail...forever. No parole, no pardon, no country club incarceration, just four cold, grey walls and eternity to reflect on your actions.<br />
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3. If you sell the gun used in the commission of a crime without following due diligence to ensure that the buyer is entitled and able to own a firearm legally, you go to jail alongside the criminal, with the same sentence.<br />
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4. Get rid of the foolish notion that banning things solves problems. (If you don't believe me, look back at history, Prohibition...didn't work, ban a book or film in Boston and you have a new best seller or the hottest movie ticket in town. There are countless other examples, but I think you get the gist of it.) Our current laws prohibit virtually all private ownership of actual military weapons. (This includes things such as machine guns, fully automatic weapons of any type, bazookas, landmines and hand grenades) Regardless of what anyone says, you can not go into any store in the United States and buy an "assault weapon".<br />
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5. Stop using the ignorant and inflammatory term "assault weapon". Shy of the military items previously mentioned, they don't exist. The term was coined to incite hype and fear. A customized gun is no more dangerous than a customized car. Composite stocks, folding stocks, hand grips and the like do no more to up the so-called "killing power" of a gun than 20" rims, low profile tires, pinstripes and carbon fiber hoods do making a '98 Buick Regal into a "race car".<br />
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6. Fix our broken system of mental health care. It is painfully obvious that our current method of treating people with mental illness like there is nothing wrong is woefully inept. Being "politically correct" and denying that mental illness exists is insane. There are people out there that need help of competent, trained professionals.<br />
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7. This one is beyond politicians. We need to get back to being responsible parents. Shutting your child in their room with the latest iteration of "Mortal Kombat" or "Call of Duty" for 16 hours a day or longer is absurd. Set boundaries, teach them that no means no, that there are consequences for their actions and stop rewarding failure. Life isn't always fair and we further complicate it when we refuse to acknowledge our children making mistakes. Part of the process of growing is learning that you are not always going to be number one.<br />
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I think we all realize that something is broken in this country. We need to fix it, but we also need to work in a reasonable fashion, addressing root causes and not trying to repair a ruptured appendix with the application of a cast. The problems facing America are not Republican or Democratic problems, they are American problems, which are best fixed by good old American ingenuity. (Surely it still exists!)<br />
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<br />Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-71970975906184576882012-11-26T14:56:00.000-05:002012-11-26T14:56:30.343-05:00Attack on ChristmasYet another dark veil is descending on America. In Little Rock, Arkansas, a group of citizens has decided that Charlie Brown and company is infringing on the separation of church and state. Atheists belonging to the group, Arkansas Society of Freethinkers has decided that allowing children to view the play "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is an assault on the United States Constitution.<br />
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The play is being performed at a Little Rock community church. A local school district is offering a field trip for students to attend the December 14th production. As is the case in most field trips, permission slips were sent home for the parents to approve or disapprove. While this seems like a very simple and straight-forward choice, it would appear that the "Freethinkers" are incapable of any kind of thought.<br />
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Instead of saying, "I would prefer my child not attend this program", the leadership of this group think that no child should be allowed to attend. In a classic case of the tail trying to wag the dog, a very vocal minority are trying to spoil the holiday season for the rest of America.<br />
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So many traditions are being eroded and others completely destroyed, simply to comply with the needs of a very small segment of the population. The United States Constitution guarantees Freedom of Religion. The intent of the Constitution is to preclude a State sponsored religion. Each and every American is guaranteed the right to live and worship as they please, without fear or interference from the government or any other entity. If you wish to worship a bush in your neighbor's yard as your savior, you have that right, if you wish to believe that there is no supreme being, that is also your right.<br />
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I think that we can all accept that there is no problem until one group or another decides that their "rights" supersede the rights of another group. Invariably, someone will try to twist this simple event around to mean that "Christians" are somehow trying to impose their will on others.....which is not the case at all. This is where your freedoms and rights come into play. If you do not like Christian celebrations, you have the freedom and the right to not believe in the message, the freedom and the right to look the other way and the freedom and the right to not participate on any level. What you do not have is the freedom and the right to tell other groups that their celebrations and beliefs somehow infringe on your right to have your own beliefs.<br />
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I don't know about the rest of you, but growing up, not only were we exposed to Christmas, we also learned about Hanukkah and other holiday celebrations. Not only did we discuss traditional Christian events, we discussed the events as they were viewed by others, including those people that chose not to celebrate any holiday on or near December 25th. By learning of the cultures and traditions of others, I would like to think my horizons were broadened, not poisoned as seems to be the thought process today.<br />
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I don't know a single Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian or other child that turned to stone from playing with a dradle or viewing a menorah. No Wiccan child has ever died as a result of seeing Santa Claus, no atheist has ever died from viewing a nativity scene nor has any American child of any race, creed or religion died or had their life severely impacted in a negative fashion simply by being exposed to a different set of religious values than those practiced in their home. I sure that some will take exception to that last statement, but I am speaking in the simplest of terms. Allowing a group of school kids to watch a play with a message of peace, love and understanding of all men is neither a nefarious plot to impose a religion, nor an attempt by the state to sponsor or endorse a religion.<br />
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It doesn't require a lot of thought to realize that by attempting to restrict the children's ability to see a simple holiday play, the "Freethinkers" are actually attempting to circumvent the Constitution and stretch the meaning to suit their own needs, while denying others that same opportunity. The answer is very simple, if you don't want your child to see what other cultures and religions embrace, simply don't let them attend the show. That is your right, but that is also where your right ends. These folks need to quit trying to play the Grinch, while hiding behind a false sense of Constitutional entitlement. <br />
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"Peace on earth, good will toward men." If that is a message that causes alarm among us, I am truly worried about the course our nation is following.Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-60431870488681818772011-09-12T23:25:00.000-04:002011-09-14T02:37:10.504-04:00Victory Junction and the Old Guy on a Bike<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It has been a while since I have felt inspired to write anything. Saturday changed that....now I have a million things I want to say and I'm not sure that I can remember them all. I suppose that all I can do is give it my best shot and see what appears on the page.<br />
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For some time, I've wanted to get back into biking. I used to ride all the time and it was very relaxing. After my accident, I was a bit reluctant to get back on.....and I didn't exactly get what could be termed overwhelming support from the home front. As time passed, I found I still had the urge to ride, but there remained some doubts and questions.<br />
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In July, the urge returned with a vengeance. I finally decided to look for a cheap bike and give it a shot. (Note to self and all reading, buying a cheap bike was a huge mistake. I should have gone with my instincts and purchased a better bike right up front.) After a few weeks of looking in semi-earnest, the local Wal-Mart had a bike on sale. It looked good to me....so I loaded it up and carted it home. Did a quick check on the assembly, made some minor adjustments and voila.....we're off!<br />
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That night, I tooled around the neighborhood until my butt was sore, then decided to call it a night. Riding became a daily ritual. Each day I rode a bit further and for a bit longer until I was just over a week in. While cruising around the neighborhood and displaying my prowess on two wheels, I ran over a rock on the roadway. Said rock turned the front wheel violently to the right causing my elbow to make hard contact with the neighbor's mailbox, which in turn, caused me to swing abruptly to the left and directly into a large rolling garbage bin. Brilliant discovery number one.....shoes are way better than sandals at offering protection to your feet. My sandal clad right foot impacted the garbage can in a manner not recommended to the faint of heart. The impact broke the big toe and the toe next to it, as well as ripping the nail almost completely from the big toe. There was blood....lots of it.<br />
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For a normal person, this might be the end of the story, but not for me. I managed to get myself in the house....applied liberal doses of Betadine and hydrogen peroxide, wrapped the big toe in a gauze pad to provide some cushioning, taped the two mangled toes together and went out and completed the 5 mile goal I had previously established for myself. I can tell you that the pain was pretty intense, but something told me I needed to complete the ride. It wasn't easy, but I managed to make the full 5 miles.<br />
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The following day, the foot was too sore do anything more than hobble my way to the local clinic. They took one look and said I should go to the ER or a foot specialist. I didn't think it hurt enough to merit sitting for hours at the ER....so I opted to return home and read my email. In my inbox was a message from the Victory Junction Camp telling me about a charity bike ride to raise money for the camp. Having long been my favorite charity, I decided it was time for me to really make a difference. I would begin training immediately and participate in the ride.<br />
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On the surface, this seemed like a pretty simple task. The camp offered advertised rides of 15, 30 and 62 miles in length. Given that I only had a bit over a month to prepare, I decided that signing up for the 15 mile ride would be the best plan. I sat down with some computer workout software and came up with a training program that would have me up to the 15 mile mark in short order.....and ultimately have me ready for the big event. Each day, I increased the riding times and distances until I was doing 15 miles with no problem. Riding here in the mountains seemed like a great way to prep myself for that simple charity ride down on the Piedmont. In the two weeks leading up to the ride, I alternated 10 and 15 mile rides.....10 miles at a brisk pace, 15 at a more leisurely "charity ride" pace. My toes were slowly healing and I was feeling pretty good about myself. I rode in all sorts of weather, from blazing hot to pouring rain. In the last couple of days before the event, I almost broke my arm patting myself on the back for how well I had done in the preparation department. <br />
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We need to jump back in time though, as there is a parallel track to this story. As part of the obligation associated with participating in a charity ride, you are also expected to raise money for the cause you are attempting to support. I did not immediately register to participate in the event, knowing full well that my toes and my general lack of physical conditioning could be a show-stopper. I made up my mind that when I had completed my fifth 15 mile training ride with no issue, that I could safely register and participate in the Camp Event. On August 29, I completed my fifth greater than 15 mile training day and decided that I was good to go for the event. Late that evening, I filled out my registration information and on the morning of August 30, I officially became a registered participant. Now comes the hard part....raising money. There are some effective tools for fund raising that come with your registration. I immediately put them into action and naively expected the money to just pour in. I wasn't asking for much....hell, I told people that a buck would be great and that anything more than that would be incredible!<br />
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People began asking questions about the event and I seriously expected the floodgates to open and the donations would come pouring in. The ice was finally broken when my wonderful (and by now, very, very supportive) wife made a donation. That was followed by a donation from a friend since Kindergarten days. Ultimately, I received donations from four additional families and friends that understand just how important this cause is. If you are hung up on seeing how much I raised, I will include the link to the donation site, where your contribution will help make this story that much better!<br />
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Just to keep the story interesting, during the course of preparation for the big ride, we were faced with Hurricane Irene, impending surgery for my wife (your thoughts and prayers on September 13 would be greatly appreciated), the anniversary of 9/11 and Tropical Storm Lee, which absolutely devastated our hometowns in upstate NY. Most of our family was out of harm's way, but our son Jon's home was extensively damaged, as was Jan's rental property next door. Jon, his wife Teresa and their two kids are fine, but their home and many possessions didn't survive. Sometimes it is very hard to be 700 miles away.<br />
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But, I digress. We worked around the distractions and decided that it was important to complete the charity ride. At 4 a.m. on the morning of September 10, I set out for Randleman, NC and the Victory Junction Camp. The drive over was very serene and I had lots of thoughts racing through my head, not the least of which was switching from the 15 mile ride to the 30 mile ride, just because my training had been progressing so well and I was feeling great. I arrived at the front gate shortly after 8 a.m. and immediately developed a lump in my throat. Just pulling in, I could feel that I was in a very special, very important place. I snapped a few photos at the front gate and then headed to the parking and registration area.<br />
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Check-in was quick and painless....and surprise of surprises, my registration number was 43. NASCAR fans will understand the significance, but for the uninitiated, 43 is one of the numbers associated with the Petty family, most notably "King Richard". I took that as a great sign of things to come.<br />
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As I mentioned earlier, I spent the drive over contemplating switching to the 30 mile ride instead of the 15, based on how well I felt and how well the preparations had gone. I ultimately decided to stick with the original plan, especially since this was my first attempt at anything like this. During the training leading up to this, I had tried to follow a similar route to the one that was laid out by the organizers on a neat little smartphone app entitled "Map My Ride". Data gleaned from the app indicated this would be a very flat ride with only a net elevation change of 50 feet. Just walking from the parking/registration area to the starting point, it became obvious that there was over 50 feet of elevation change in just that short span. The worst was yet to come!<br />
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We had a few minutes to look around before we set out. Like most of the riders, I had a banana and a couple bottles of Gatorade to make sure we were hydrated and fueled. Everyone spent some time looking around, stretching, having the on-site mechanic double check their bikes and just generally reflecting on the surroundings. Unless you are totally numb from the hair down, I don't know how you can't get a sense of awe and respect for what a fantastic place the camp really is. It wasn't hard to understand why some very big names in sports are willing to lend their names, funds and endorsements to the Camps. From Paul Newman to Tony Stewart to Kyle and Pattie Petty...to corporate sponsors like Bass Pro Shops, Norfolk Southern, Sunoco and Wal-Mart....to donations from everyday folks like you and me all go to making for a magical place. At 9:45 we had a safety briefing and thank you for participating session. I think most of us had lumps in our throats by then.<br />
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At 10 a.m., the green flag waved and we were off. The first mile wasn't too bad. Many of us learned quickly that you didn't want to try to keep pace with the boys on their fancy road bikes. A group of about 7 of us settled into a routine that we managed to keep for about 9 miles. It became painfully obvious after the first climb that the 50 elevation change bit was totally wrong. There were a number of climbs far longer and far steeper than the climb out of my development.....and I can tell you that climb has stopped a lot of people. By the time I got to mile 10, there wasn't another rider in sight. There were camera crews at several vantage points along the course as well as one crew in an ATV that followed a number of different riders along the way.<br />
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Somewhere after mile 10 one of the support vehicles followed me until the rest stop at mile 12. I was plagued by wicked leg cramps on almost every climb from mile 8 on. I can tell you, the thought of stopping crossed my mind more than once. This ride was far more complex than what I had trained and prepared for....but I found myself thinking back to the kids that I was there to support and there were no more thoughts of stopping or giving up. It became a quest, a rite and flat out necessity to finish. My GPS later showed over 585 feet of elevation differential....a far cry from the 50 in all the lead up information. The 15 mile route also turned out to be 17.89 miles, but in the end....it didn't matter. I made it! I made the "victory lap" of the camp on completion too.<br />
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After cooling down a bit, eating some bananas and drinking copious quantities of fluids....(did I mention the temperature and humidity? Let's just say that it added to the overall experience).....I had the opportunity to spend about 45 minutes talking with Linda, a volunteer on a regular basis. You couldn't help but be infected by her charming accounts of the kids, the camp and the whole experience. Suffice it to say, our conversation only reinforced the importance of the Camp and the value of our fund raising efforts. The dining staff then provided all the riders and guests with a fantastic luncheon, followed by a concert in the Dale Jr, Amphitheater.<br />
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Eventually the day drew to a close, we loaded up our bikes and everyone headed home....a little tired, a little sore, but with hearts filled with the joy of knowing we had been a part of something very special. I'm pretty sure I get the award for the longest travels of the day.....over 450 miles in the car and on the bike....not too bad for a somewhat out of shape 55 year old!<br />
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If you've taken the time to read this, would you please also take the time to consider a donation to Victory Junction? Big, small or in between, every bit helps.....and 100% of your donation goes directly to support the campers!<br />
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<a href="http://victoryjunction.kintera.org/ridenc11/danhouck">To make a DONATION to Victory Junction</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.victoryjunction.org/">Victory Junction Home Page</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150415879902788.404273.690887787&l=e4aa3d28ae&type=1">More Photos of the Day</a></div>
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I should add this little post script. On the drive home, there was a loud explosion and my bike visibly jumped in the rack. On inspection, I discovered the front tire had blown out....there was a huge hole in both the tire and tube. I'm glad it happened when it did and not when I was flying down the final descent at nearly 40 mph....I suspect that result would not have been pretty.<br />
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<br />Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-11976778328840430982011-07-04T13:27:00.000-04:002011-07-04T13:27:46.059-04:00The Declaration of Independence<div style="text-align: left;">This seems a fitting post for today. The text of the most important document in American history.....as drafted by Thomas Jefferson and signed by our founding fathers. You will note, that this does not say that it is the Declaration of Independence. I will post the actual Declaration at the end. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Unanimous Declaration</div><div style="text-align: center;">of the Thirteen United States of America</div><br />
When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.<br />
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We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. --Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.<br />
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He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.<br />
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He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.<br />
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He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.<br />
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He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.<br />
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He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.<br />
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He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.<br />
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He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.<br />
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He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.<br />
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He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.<br />
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He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.<br />
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He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislature.<br />
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He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to civil power.<br />
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He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:<br />
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For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:<br />
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For protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states:<br />
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For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:<br />
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For imposing taxes on us without our consent:<br />
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For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury:<br />
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For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses:<br />
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For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule in these colonies:<br />
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For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments:<br />
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For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.<br />
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He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.<br />
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He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.<br />
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He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.<br />
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He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.<br />
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He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare, is undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.<br />
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In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.<br />
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Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.<br />
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We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.<br />
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As signed by John Hancock and the other delegates from the 13 colonies.<br />
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And now for the actual Declaration of Independence......drafted by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia and adopted by the Congress.<br />
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“these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states....and that all political connection between them and The State of Great Britain is, and of right ought to be, totally dissolved.”<br />
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Not as eloquent as the Jefferson Declaration, but far more effective in making the actual point that the 13 colonies were now in a struggle for their very lives. Happy Independence Day America!Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-65172515996900172282011-06-15T02:50:00.000-04:002011-06-15T02:50:25.203-04:00In the GardenThe new crop of daylilies is in full bloom. The full gallery can be seen at http://frogdawg.zenfolio.com/p277255712<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://frogdawg.zenfolio.com/img/v22/p997533336-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="450" width="573" src="http://frogdawg.zenfolio.com/img/v22/p997533336-3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://frogdawg.zenfolio.com/img/v24/p983399034-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="450" width="573" src="http://frogdawg.zenfolio.com/img/v24/p983399034-3.jpg" /></a></div>Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-65151642409919168822011-02-06T04:57:00.001-05:002011-02-06T04:59:16.578-05:00Are You Kidding Me?You have to love the Asheville City Council...it isn't every political body that has so little to do these days, they have time to pass ordinances banning advertising. Gone are the dancing mattress, the strutting chicken and the strange worm with leprosy that graced the Sprint store on Patton Avenue.<br />
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In a move that defies logic and reason, the Grove Park Inn was told to turn off the spotlights they had rented to promote their Celtic weekend. The reasons given were totally absurd....first, the lights detracted from the city skyline and second, the lights posed a hazard to the motoring public. Let's face it, Asheville has no skyline and if the city were truly concerned with the motoring public, they would focus their efforts on filling in giant craters that fill most of the city streets!<br />
<br />
The local TV station did an online poll asking for viewer input on the matter. Most responses were in favor of doing away with this foolish law and allowing businesses to get back to having a bit of fun. There were a few nut jobs that supported the ban, but you could tell from their comments that they were probably under the influence of some mind altering substance. Among the favorites..."the lights pose a serious hazard to planes landing at the airport", "the lights keep me from being able to see the moon" and "I can't sleep with the lights on"!<br />
<br />
As for planes having problems landing at the airport, the runway is several miles from the city and the flight path doesn't take them over the hotel to begin with. For the people that couldn't see the moon, it had nothing to do with the searchlights, the current lunar phase ranged from a new moon to a waxing crescent, I think you can draw your own conclusions there. For the fool that said they couldn't sleep with the lights on....where the hell were you trying to sleep? Were you in the Goodyear blimp or a hot air balloon hovering overhead? No, it couldn't have been the blimp, because that would be an illegal form of advertising and it certainly wouldn't be over Asheville. <br />
<br />
Wake up Asheville, time to vote these nimrods out of office and get some of these ridiculous laws off the books.Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-81919227477627668962011-01-28T00:44:00.000-05:002011-01-28T00:44:34.002-05:00So You Thought You Wanted to be a PoetA long time ago, I had aspirations of writing poetry or perhaps a song or two. I was working sixteen hour days in a rather sterile and solitary environment. To keep from going stark raving mad, I began writing in a journal. Most of the entries were random scribblings, but there was an occasional poem and even the framework of a humorous novel.<br />
<br />
The journal traveled around the world for nearly thirty five years without suffering more than a dog eared page or two, as well as the expected wear and tear on the outer jacket. The writings grew less and less frequent as the years passed, but the contents still held great meaning and memories for me.<br />
<br />
In early June of 2010, I traveled to Charleston, SC for a weekend getaway with my wife. The dogs stayed at home with their favorite dog sitter Kelly. Things were going great until my phone rang while I was on a tour of Charleston harbor. It was my dad with the somber news that my step-mom had cancer. Between the roar of the boat engines, the tour guide giving descriptions and a rather stiff breeze, it was very difficult to hear what dad was trying to tell me. I promised to call him when we landed to get the full story.<br />
<br />
Once we were safely back to the hotel, I called dad and was filled in on all the grim details. They were sure it was cancer, but more tests would be needed to confirm things. I asked dad if he needed me to come to NY, but he assured me that there was nothing I could do there that I couldn't do equally as well from where I was. At that point, good thoughts and prayers were about all anyone could do.<br />
<br />
The rest of the short vacation was tempered by the news, but we still managed to have an enjoyable time and got to see some great scenery. We headed home on a balmy Sunday morning. The trip was uneventful and we had a great time just talking and spending time with each other. When we arrived home, the dogs were their usual ecstatic selves...thrilled to see us and bouncing off the walls. Jan took the dogs outside while I unloaded the car. It was on my second trip in that I saw the note from Kelly atop a large plastic grocery bag. <br />
<br />
I assumed that it was just a simple note telling us that things had gone well and the bag contained the mail. How wrong I was. Seems the dogs had just gone totally insane while we were gone. Chewing on things they never chewed on....blankets, bedspreads and the quilt Jan had made me for Christmas a few years ago. The worst part was contained in the plastic bag. It seems that Zelda really decided that she was mad at me. She had gone into my office and taken the journal off the lower shelf of my desk. All I can say is that there wasn't a whole lot left of my years of work. I was able to salvage a grand total of thirteen pages out of over three hundred. Ouch. And yes...Zelda is still alive. I wasn't happy with her, but it was my own stupidity that caused it to get eaten, I normally kept it in a drawer of the desk.<br />
<br />
Spring forward to this week. One of the local newspapers is having a poetry contest. I was pretty sure that there was a short selection in the remaining pages of the journal that might qualify. I spent the last few days trying to recreate the damaged parts and turn the work into something worthy of submission. I have no idea if I succeeded in my quest or not, but I do recall one of my professors telling me that the mark of a decent poem is that it evokes an emotion from the audience. I read the finished product to Jan and she assured me that it caused an emotional reaction. To be fair, she never did tell me what emotion, but I went ahead and submitted the thing anyway.<br />
<br />
Without further ado, I give you "Seafaring Blues".<br />
<br />
<blockquote>Early morning seas, rising to the wind<br />
The haunting cry of a gull<br />
Beware, the storm begins.<br />
Tossing and turning, losing all my sleep<br />
Still the waves keep rolling<br />
And yet, I long for you.<br />
<br />
The sea, it gets so restless<br />
But then, so does my mind.<br />
The rising tide, <br />
Swept you from my side<br />
And still, I hear your call.<br />
<br />
Sometimes within you, but mostly without<br />
Clearly, I miss you<br />
And love you even more.<br />
The world is not ours to hold, much less to own<br />
When the call comes to go,<br />
Do we seek a new home?<br />
<br />
Searching and yearning, reaching for nothing<br />
Broken hearts weep in sorrow.<br />
Time seems I can’t go on.<br />
I feel my soul sinking, slowly pulled under<br />
Stealing my breath <br />
Like the ebb of the tide.<br />
<br />
The sea, it gets so restless<br />
But then, so does my mind<br />
The rising tide, <br />
Swept you from my side<br />
And still, I hear your call.<br />
<br />
Sometimes within you, but mostly without<br />
Clearly, I miss you <br />
And love you even more<br />
Time heals the hurt, once the storm has passed<br />
The waves roll on and on<br />
But love remains steadfast.<br />
</blockquote>Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-70802822131810219922010-11-12T15:28:00.000-05:002010-11-12T15:28:42.056-05:00School Makes Boy Take American Flag Off BikeThis very disturbing story comes to us courtesy of KTXL-TV in Sacramento, CA. The following is from their website....<br />
<blockquote>Elissa Harrington FOX40 News<br />
<br />
November 12, 2010<br />
DENAIR -<br />
<br />
13-year-old Cody Alicea rides with an American flag on the back of his bike. He says he does this to be patriotic and to honor veterans, like his own grandfather, Robert. He's had the flag on his bike for two months but Monday, was told to take it down. <br />
<br />
A school official at Denair Middle School told Cody some students had been complaining about the flag and it was no longer allowed on school property.<br />
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"In this country we're supposed to be free," said Cody. "And I should be able to wave my flag wherever I want to. And they're telling me I can't." Cody had to take the flag off his bike and put it in his backpack, where he kept it all week.<br />
<br />
Cody's grandfather says the school was concerned about racial tensions or uprisings because of the flag. He feels if there was really a problem it should have been brought up two months ago, not during Veterans week. And if it was an issue of safety, parents should have been contacted.<br />
<br />
"No action should be taken. We don't want any repercussion," said Roger Alicea. "We just want Cody to be proud of what he's doing." Roger says the family is not planning to take any legal action, but they do want to meet with school staff.<br />
<br />
Cody says he wants to serve in the military some day, and is raising money for a trip to Washington, D.C. in the Spring.</blockquote><br />
OK....let's hit a few key points. The school says students were complaining about the flag. Excuse me, but this is America and if you choose to live in this country, you can expect to see the American flag! You should be seeing it in your classrooms every single day, you should be reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to it every day and most importantly, you should be respectful of it every day. Do you honestly believe that if you were in some other country, their flag would be removed because some nutcase didn't like looking at it?<br />
<br />
Next, the school was afraid the flag might cause racial tensions or uprisings? Are you kidding me? What does race have to do with the American flag? We welcome people from all races, creeds and religions in America. Read our Constitution....it says that all men are created equal. The American flag does not stand for any one race, creed or color, it stands for the United States of America, our country, our home. The flag represents each and every one of us that lives in this country. The American flag is not judgmental, it doesn't turn its back on any American. I could understand the school's concern if the young man was flying a gang flag or a Nazi flag or some other symbol of hatred and intolerance, but for crying out loud, he was flying the American flag in America!<br />
<br />
Why didn't the school contact the boy's parents if this was such a major issue? Why did they choose the week we honor Veterans to make this ridiculous decision? Most importantly, why is the person that made this decision still employed by the school? I said it before and I'll say it again, this is the United States of America. Being respectful of our flag is never illegal or contemptible. It is high time that Americans start acting the part. If you want to enjoy this nation and our freedoms, the start living up to your end of the bargain.Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-16431674560507555492010-11-10T23:28:00.001-05:002010-11-11T17:42:31.534-05:00Veteran's DayPlease take a minute to thank all the brave men and women that proudly served our nation! Also make sure to observe a moment of silence at 11:11 in remembrance of those who gave their all.<br />
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I'd like to thank all my friends that proudly served....If I inadvertently left you off the list, give me a shout, my memory isn't as good as it used to be.<br />
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Pete Ferris<br />
Bob Brown<br />
Woody Withers<br />
Roger Miller<br />
Jim Hollenbeck<br />
Bob Barden<br />
Herb Price<br />
Terry Collins<br />
Bob Houck<br />
Jim Roberts<br />
Al Hinchcliffe<br />
Bob Riggs<br />
Bill Edwards<br />
John Tompkins<br />
Gary Sanders<br />
Beth Wygant<br />
Cheryl Coveney Parente-Roggow<br />
Clara Phillips<br />
Dan Campbell<br />
Doug Way<br />
Ed Malone<br />
Howard Kennedy<br />
Doug Stine<br />
Dale Pierce<br />
Bob Berube<br />
Ray Noe<br />
Larry Buss<br />
John Bednar<br />
Jim Kreyling<br />
James Tompkins<br />
Jamie Holladay<br />
Jim Blow <br />
Joe Cruz<br />
John Woodburn<br />
John Wright<br />
Peg Gilbert Velletta Sellers<br />
Richard Ward<br />
Steve Velletta<br />
Todd Bradley<br />
Tom Wilkin<br />
Pete Hodgkins<br />
Ron Rhinehart<br />
Dave King<br />
Tom King<br />
Roger Townsend<br />
Rich VanEtten<br />
Les SwartzDan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-65492999449730156732010-10-27T16:39:00.001-04:002010-10-27T16:50:44.650-04:00Government Reform<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; margin-left: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: #660000;"></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> C<span style="background-color: #660000;"></span>ongressional Reform Act of 2010</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; margin-left: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Congress of the United States has seen fit to impose term limits on the office of President, yet they feel that they are more important and should be entitled to remain in office for life. Congress also feels that they do not have to abide by the same laws as the people that they impose them on. Isn't it time that the American citizens take back their country and re-establish a government of the people, for the people, as was originally laid out in the Constitution?</span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; margin-left: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; margin-left: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are some simple suggestions that would go a long way towards making that happen.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: white; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br style="color: white;" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: white; font-size: small;">1. Term Limits - Maximum of 12 years in Federal Office</span></div><ul style="color: white; text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;"> A. Two Six-year Senate terms </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> B. Six Two-year House terms </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> C. One Six-year Senate term and three Two-Year House terms</span></li>
</ul><div style="color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. No Tenure / No Pension </span></div><ul style="color: white; text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">Elected Federal officials shall only be paid for their time in office, they can not retire from that position.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">There shall be no "grandfather" clause for those officials currently serving. If they have reached the limits of their terms, their seat shall be vacated and placed on the ballot of the next general election.</span></li>
</ul><div style="color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in the same Social Security program as the American public..</span></div><ul style="color: white; text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">All future funds flow into the Social</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. </span></li>
<li>Congressional withholding is calculated exactly the same as the general public.</li>
</ul><div style="color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">4. Congress may purchase or invest their own private retirement plans, exactly as the American public is allowed to.</span></div><div style="color: white; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Any annual Congressional pay raise will be based solely on the lower of CPI or 3%.</span></div><div style="color: white; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">6. Congress shall immediately disband their current health care system and participate in </span><span style="font-size: small;">the same health care system as the American people.</span></div><div style="color: white; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">7. Congress may not impose any laws on the American </span><span style="font-size: small;">people from which they deem themselves exempt.</span></div><div style="color: white; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">8. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective </span><span style="font-size: small;">1/1/11. </span></div><ul style="color: white; text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves. </span></li>
</ul><div style="color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">9. Election and campaign finance reform.</span></div><ul style="color: white; text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size: small;"> All elections and campaigns shall be funded by the government. Private donations shall go into the election fund.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">All candidates for office must declare their intent to run by a date specified by the Board of Elections.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Once there is an established pool of candidates for each office, the Board of Elections shall distribute equal funding to those qualified candidates. This is the only funding allowed to be used for campaign and election expenses. When the funds are exhausted, there shall be no further donations or contributions allowed. In the event one or more candidates withdraw from the election, their unused campaign funds must be returned to the election fund for future elections. (The unspent funds will not be given to the remaining candidates.)</span></li>
</ul><div style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers </span><span style="font-size: small;">envisioned citizen legislators, that would serve their term(s), return home when their elected term was complete and </span><span style="font-size: small;">resume their normal life's work. </span> </div>Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-35211153448922079912010-09-01T03:13:00.000-04:002010-09-01T03:13:54.845-04:00Joy and SadnessTonight, God blessed our family by sending us a little angel named Emma Renee Orendorff. She checked in at 4 pounds 11 ounces and 19 inches long. Both Emma and her mom are doing well, but the story doesn't end there.<br />
<br />
It is possible that Emma has Down Syndrome. There was no advance diagnosis, so this news sort of struck us like a bolt out of the blue. She will have to have some tests to confirm if she actually has Down or not, but the medical staff seems to think it is a strong possibility at this point.<br />
<br />
I hope everyone understands that this is not a request for pity or sympathy. Our family has dealt with this before and we don't view this as something horrible or sad. It happens, plain and simple. There is no cure, but there is also no earthly reason why a person with Down can not live a perfectly normal, happy life.<br />
<br />
As many of you know, my oldest and best friend Doug has Down. Yesterday, he celebrated his 56th birthday and his 51st since we have been friends. Doug and I went to Kindergarten together and have remained pals ever since. Some of you may recall reading of our exploits with the Space Shuttle a couple of years ago.<br />
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Moments ago, I learned that my dear sweet friend Polly lost her battle with cancer. Words fail me. My heart goes out to John and Beck, James, Sarah, Aunt Sue and the rest of Polly's loving family. There are big holes in many hearts tonight.Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-3035636361241715612010-07-17T23:25:00.001-04:002010-07-17T23:28:19.972-04:00Wake Up NASCARDoes Carl Edwards actually have to kill someone on the track or in the stands before you get off your dead asses and take some serious action? This isn't a rivalry, this is pure, unadulterated stupidity. Wrecking a driver in front of the whole field on a restart? Are you kidding me?<br />
<br />
This nitwit needs to be parked for the rest of this season and I think he should have to go before a review board of fellow drivers and owners before he is ever let on a race track again. Park him...before it is too late.Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-27758592826161867362010-06-30T09:59:00.013-04:002011-06-30T11:23:32.147-04:00Fireworks PhotographyOnce again, fireworks season is upon us. Everyone loves to watch a great fireworks display and many photographers would love to capture some memories of the event. Lots of folks are reluctant to even try shooting fireworks displays, because they have no idea where to begin....others hesitate to shoot because they are afraid to take their camera out of automatic mode....with any luck, the tips and techniques outlined here will help both novice and experienced shooters take their explosive shots to a whole new level.<br />
<br />
<br />
The first step in shooting any fireworks display is a bit of preparation. Find out when and where the event is going to take place. Showing up at 10 pm for a display that took place at 9:30 is just as bad as showing up at the fairgrounds to shoot the show, only to discover event organizers decided the riverfront on the other side of town would make a better venue. Taking shots of an empty sky just doesn't hold much appeal. Some of us will be fortunate enough to live close to shoot more than one show...taking notes will help you keep the various displays in order and help you make sure you show up with the right stuff at the right place at the right time!<br />
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<br />
With camera in hand, scout your location before the show. If you are serious about shooting fireworks, you can make the time to look over the area where the show will take place. Make yourself aware of potential problems before they become an issue. Are there trees, power lines, buildings or even other people attending the event that are going to interfere with your line of sight and therefore, your ability to capture a clean image of the fireworks? Are there powerful external light sources that are going to foul your exposures and wash out the images? Setting up under a street light might make the job of assembling your equipment simpler, but it is not going to be a good thing when it comes to the finished image. Get away from bright lights, utility poles and wires. Trees and buildings can add interest to your finished image, but make sure they will not block the shots. Since most of us won't be shooting with the Statue of Liberty or other famous landmarks as potential focal points, look for locations where the buildings will not dominate the image. Also keep in mind you will be carrying a bit of equipment with you, so finding parking in relation to the shooting locale can also be a major consideration...not to mention the time it will take to actually walk to your chosen vantage point. Plan accordingly and leave yourself ample time to get set up.<br />
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Once you decide where you are going to shoot from, it is time to move to the next phase of preparation. Remember, a smart person would take their camera on the pre-show scouting expedition. This will allow you to look through the viewfinder and draw some conclusions about which lens you want to use. Are you going to be close in where a wide-angle lens is the best option? Is a medium telephoto a better choice or are you going to be far enough away the you can take advantage of a long telephoto? For those of you without an extensive selection of lenses, don't panic. You might just have to adjust your shooting location a little bit to properly complement your lens options. Once again, preparation is key. With this phase of the process complete, it is time to head home and prepare our gear for the show.<br />
<br />
<br />
At home, it is time to start pulling the pieces together. Grab your small LCD flashlight and make sure it works. Make sure all your batteries are charged. Make sure your memory cards are clean, formatted and ready to go. Put fresh cards in your camera(s) before you pack them for the trip. Gather up your tripod(s) and make sure you have the necessary base plates ready if you are equipped with quick releases. Decide which lens(es) you are going to use and mount them to their respective body(bodies). If the lens has a filter on it, take it off. Filters are not your friend when shooting fireworks. Give the lens a good cleaning while you are at it, run the sensor clean function on the camera and give it a quick blow out with your rocket blower. Locate your remote cable release(s). If you have remotes that use batteries, make sure the batteries are not dead. If you are going to experiment with super long exposures/multiple exposures on one image, make sure you have your designated lens cover is ready to go. (Some use an opaque hat, I prefer a piece of heavy black fabric that I can drape over the lens) Set your camera controls for the mode you are going to be using. Most of us are going to use one of three modes....Aperture Value(Av), Manual, or Bulb. For most shooters, Manual will be the best choice...Bulb is best used by advanced shooters looking to experiment with varying exposures/multiple exposures and Av works best for shooting really close in. Set your ISO to 100. Set your Aperture to at least f/8, most of us use f/11 or f/16...some will set it to the smallest aperture available. Set your shutter time to 5 seconds initially. Make sure your lens is set to Manual Focus mode. You can pre-focus if you want...set the focus to the little sideways L shaped mark just before the infinity symbol.(the one that looks like an 8 turned sideways.) The last two items on my list are optional, but a must for me. My wife typically accompanies me, so we toss in a couple of lawn chairs and a small cooler for soda, water or iced tea.<br />
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<br />
The time has come to load the car and head for the show. Make sure you have everything we have discussed up to this point loaded and ready to go. Give yourself more than ample time to arrive at your destination. Bear in mind that this is typically a holiday and traffic is going to be heavy. If you have done your homework properly, you should be able to locate a decent parking spot and get your equipment to the shoot locale with a minimum of hassle. I have been shooting shows long enough that I know many locations that I can park and shoot from the same spot. That makes life much easier! Set up your tripod(s), attach the camera(s) and remote shutter release(s). Aim your camera in the general direction of the launch point. Make sure your lens is in manual focus mode and if you have enough light available, try to focus on a subject in the launch area...(setting lens to infinity doesn't always work folks...depending on where you are shooting from, your focus may need to be on an area much closer to the camera) Even if you have previously watched or shot fireworks from this location, you will probably have to wait for the initial shot to get the exact location you need to aim your camera.<br />
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<br />
Your first shoot is probably going to end up being a grand experiment. Shoot in the best mode for the distance...I use 3 shooting modes depending on my proximity to the fireworks. Here are the parameters I start with and a range of distances. Don't feel that you are locked in to these values...these are just starting points. Fireworks allow you to experiment. Trying a variety of settings can help you catch that "special" shot. Don't forget, most shows last 15-20 minutes so you have some time to hone your settings to the optimum values.<br />
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Close-in: Less than 200 yards from the launch point. I shoot with the camera in Av Mode. ISO 100 @f/8...this will give you a full frame of burst, which produces ample light for the camera to meter and calculate an exposure. If you want to go manual...try shutter speeds in the 1/15 to 1/4 second range to start. I typically use zoom lenses at this range. I have access to a 16-35mm, 17-40mm, 24-70mm, a 24-105mm and 28-135mm lens, experience has shown me that at this range, you are typically shooting at focal lengths shorter than 28mm....so any lens you have that covers from 10-28mm should work just fine.<br />
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Mid-range: From 200 yards to about 1/2 mile, try ISO 100 @f/8 and 1-2 seconds in manual mode as a starting point, adjust as necessary. Here we find ourselves using lenses such as the 24-70mm, 24-105mm, 28-135mm and even the 70-200mm. Depending on the framing of the shot you desire, you can adjust your zoom accordingly. I have shot at every focal length from 24-200mm at this range with excellent results. Play with your settings until you are happy!<br />
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Long-range: Shots taken from over 1/2 mile away, try ISO 100 @f/11 and 10-15 second exposures in bulb mode. This is also the mode where I just lock the shutter open and use my black cloth drape to limit the exposure/allow multiple bursts to appear in the same image. Again, I have used lenses in focal lengths ranging from 24mm to 400mm depending on the desired framing.<br />
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For examples and EXIF data see this gallery: <a href="http://frogdawg.zenfolio.com/p710157444">Fireworks Images</a><br />
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Keep in mind, that these are just tips and guidelines. How you actually decide to shoot is entirely up to you. Experiment and have fun. There is no right or wrong way to shoot fireworks, unless you are turning out blank images....(dang it, I told you to take the lens cap off!) Processing the images after the show gives you a whole new way to interpret the shots....again...there is no right and wrong....do what makes the shot look the best to you. (Fractalius is a fun little program to play with on fireworks shots.) One last bit of advice, don't tie yourself in a knot trying to get the "perfect" shot....there isn't a tremendous market for fireworks photographs...if you are thinking you are going to get rich selling your images....you are in for big surprise. Media outlets grab up a few stellar shots each year, but that is about the extent of the market. Shoot for yourself first! And shoot because you enjoy the challenge!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://frogdawg.zenfolio.com/img/s7/v8/p225615738-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://frogdawg.zenfolio.com/img/s7/v8/p225615738-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Quick Tips </span></b></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><i>1. Scout your location.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>2. Assemble your gear. Charge batteries, clear cards, remove filters.. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>3. Pack car....make sure you have everything, Including spares. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>4. Travel to shoot...leave ample time....arrive early.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>5. Get set up. Mount lens camera, put camera and lens on tripod. Connect remote or cable release.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>6. Place camera in desired shooting mode...Av, M, or B are your primary options....you can experiment with Tv if you are bold.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>7. Select your desired aperture....start at f/8 and experiment. (I more commonly use f/11 - f/16)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>8. ISO 100 for starters.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>9. Pre-focus your camera on a feature near the launch site for the fireworks. Make sure your camera is set to manual focus. (AF will work, but it tends to be very hit and miss.)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>10. Once the display begins, use the first couple of shots to review your focus and exposure. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>11. If you are satisfied with your focus, you can now experiment with your exposure....try various time intervals from 1 to 15 seconds. Review the shots until you start seeing results you are content with.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>12. You can now work on fine tuning image quality:</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>* If your initial settings give you an image that is too dark (under-exposed), you can increase the ISO setting, increase the length of time your shutter is open or enlarge the aperture on the lens. (Adjust one variable at a time, review your image. Continue adjustments as necessary.) </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>* You can increase the ISO if the fireworks appear to be too dim. (Go easy, you want to keep the noise levels down.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>* If you are including background features and they appear to dim, you can once again increase the ISO. (See previous post)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>* If your background appears too bright, you can stop down the aperture 1 stop or reduce the length of time the shutter is open.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>* If everything appears to be over-exposed, close down the aperture 1 stop at a time or decrease the length of time the shutter is open or if you have previously upped the ISO setting, you may decrease that.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>13. Once you are satisfied with your settings, simply repeat the process with each new launch. Enjoy the show and remember to have fun!</i></div><br />
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Good luck and happy shooting!Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-70650708623842171532010-06-26T15:05:00.001-04:002010-06-26T15:16:42.716-04:00KarmaAs many of you know, I spent a number of years in emergency service. Along the way, I had an idea for a "better mousetrap" to assist rescue personnel in performing their jobs in a faster and safer fashion. Realizing that I had neither the time nor the equipment necessary to manufacture this item, I chose to share the idea with a long time friend that just happened to have the key components that I was lacking.<br />
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After countless hours of discussion, fabrication and experimentation, a prototype was developed, which I then took to the field to give some real world testing and experience. By virtue of my job, the "mousetrap" got some remarkable hands-on experience....and the feedback allowed a variety of subtle changes to be made to refine and define the device. It wasn't long before the product was ready to be marketed to the rescue community as a quick, quiet, simple and stable safety innovation. <br />
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Shortly after the launch of the device to the rescue community, I was involved in an accident which would forever alter my life. I really had no idea at that point in time that I would never be able to go back to the job. It wasn't long after the accident that the other party involved in the "mousetrap" project showed up at my house. He thanked me profusely for all the hard work I had done on the project, but said he didn't think it would ever take off, particularly without my time and effort to show the device off and instruct people in the proper operation.<br />
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At that point in my life, I had to distance myself from the job that I was not going to be going back to, simply to maintain my own sanity. I had to focus on my life as it was going to be and not how it was. Needless to say, I didn't think much more about the strange visit, the possible death of an idea or anything beyond trying to get my own life back on track.<br />
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Flash forward to last week.....I am finally comfortable with dealing with the old job. I started doing some reading on rescue operations and was surprised to read a glowing review of my "mousetrap" from a respected national publication. Further research lead me back to the manufacturer's home page. There is much ado on the page about the company's Christian values and integrity. Imagine my surprise to learn that the idea for the "mousetrap" came to my friend "in a dream". The dream showed him the need for the device, the exact components needed and why it was almost a miracle! Seems a wee bit odd to be extolling the virtues of high moral fiber, honesty and Christian belief while stabbing a "friend" in the back.<br />
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Don't get me wrong. I'm not as bitter as I sound, I just think it is wrong to refer to the person responsible for this as "a dream". What is really important is the fact that emergency responders now have a very capable, very affordable tool in their arsenal....which makes the job of saving lives much safer and faster. I wish them all the luck in the world and hope that many lives are saved as a result.Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-3681151821158337822010-05-29T10:53:00.006-04:002010-05-29T11:32:07.404-04:00Memorial DayMany folks view this weekend as simply the unofficial start of summer, a time to fire up the grills, dust off the patio furniture and enjoy the great outdoors with family and friends. All of those activities are fantastic ways to enjoy the warmth of late spring, but none of them could take place as we know them without the sacrifices made by our brave men and women in uniform.<br />
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Originally known as Decoration Day, the Memorial Day holiday first commemorated the deaths of soldiers from the American Civil War. Flowers or wreaths were placed on the graves, followed by singing, sermons and then a picnic. First celebrated in Waterloo, NY on May 5, 1866, the holiday gained national prominence as a result of the friendship between General John Murray of Waterloo and General John Logan, Commander in Chief of one of the earliest veteran's organizations, the Grand Army of the Republic. On May 5, 1868 Logan proclaimed May 30 Decoration Day...to be celebrated annually in honor of those who made the supreme sacrifice.<br />
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The name Memorial Day came into use in 1882, but it wasn't until after WWII that it gained widespread acceptance. In 1967, federal law officially amended the name to Memorial Day. In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill established a series of three day weekend holidays and Memorial Day was officially designated as the last Monday in May. Many people feel that the rotating date and three day weekend status has cheapened the holiday. There is currently a push among veterans' groups to have Memorial Day restored to a single day event, celebrated on the traditional May 30th date.<br />
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Tradition has the American flag flown at half-staff from dawn until noon. During this time many communities and veterans' groups hold parades and ceremonial wreath layings, followed by the playing of Taps and a 21-gun salute. At 3 p.m. local time, a national moment of remembrance is held. Many veterans wear a poppy on Memorial Day in honor of the WWI veterans commemorated in the John McCrae poem "In Flanders Fields"<br />
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<blockquote>In Flanders Fields<br />
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)<br />
Canadian Army<br />
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In Flanders Fields the poppies blow<br />
Between the crosses row on row,<br />
That mark our place; and in the sky<br />
The larks, still bravely singing, fly<br />
Scarce heard amid the guns below.<br />
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We are the Dead. Short days ago<br />
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,<br />
Loved and were loved, and now we lie<br />
In Flanders fields.<br />
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Take up our quarrel with the foe:<br />
To you from failing hands we throw<br />
The torch; be yours to hold it high.<br />
If ye break faith with us who die<br />
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow<br />
In Flanders fields.</blockquote><br />
Enjoy your start of summer picnics, family gatherings and social happenings...enjoy the traditional Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600, baseball games and other sporting events. Just don't forget to take time out of your busy schedule remember the real reason why you are celebrating the day. You might not be able to attend a tribute at one of our many National Cemeteries, you might not even be able to attend a local memorial ceremony, but please take a moment to remember those who gave their all to protect our rights and freedoms.<br />
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<a href="http://Frogdawg.zenfolio.com/img/s4/v3/p624683948-2.jpg"></a>Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-6304543852990181372010-04-22T10:26:00.001-04:002010-04-22T10:30:59.133-04:00What's Wrong With This Picture?On a daily basis, lifelong citizens of the United States and specifically residents of North Carolina line up at the DMV office to get a driver's license. Without fail, they are subjected to abuse and humiliation at the hands of the DMV staff....a barrage of foolish questions, a list of absurd requirements longer than the average giraffe's neck. Birth certificate, Social Security card, your last 86 utility bills, your mail for the past month, notarized statements from 10 relatives and 50 strangers that you are exactly who you claim to be are all going to be needed before the clerk will even look at your application.<br />
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Standing in the line next to you is a very nervous young man, whispering to his companion in muted Spanish...."I've only been in America for 12 hours, will they really give me papers?" "Don't worry" mumbles his friend in broken English, "they don't even question people that are obviously Mexican." <br />
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The lifelong NC resident is sent home for additional documentation. The illegal Mexican immigrant is handed a driver's license and voter registration card. The DMV clerk says to the illegal in perfect non-English...."Early voting has begun, if you need transportation or help getting to your voting place, just call the number on this card." ??????????????????????????????????<br />
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Are you kidding me?Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-78140809905104093832010-04-05T08:13:00.005-04:002010-04-06T12:13:54.801-04:00Tiger WoodsCall me naive. Call me out of touch. Call me whatever you wish, but I just don't understand the media fascination with Tiger Woods' private life. The man is a golfer, not a head of state, not a researcher on the verge of curing cancer.....just an athlete participating in what at best could be called a fringe sport.<br />
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Why does anyone think he owes them an apology? Why do you think that he needs to explain his actions any more than Joe Schmoe living next door to you does? Why does the news media seem to think he needs to justify his private life to the people reading this? Do any of you feel that you need to confess your private affairs to him?<br />
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It really is amazing that people seem to think they have some inalienable right to know what goes on behind every closed door in the world, and yet, they would be absolutely livid if anyone wanted to scrutinize their intimate actions. Isn't it about high time we accept the fact that people have sex, that people drink, that people smoke and that people do thousands and thousands of actions each and every day that simply are none of our business? Knowing which direction a celebrity wipes their backside does not make me a better person, nor does it make me more worldly or intelligent, it just makes me creepy. If we put half the effort into constructive activities that we put into finding ways to expose people's flaws, the potential for making the world a better place is mind-boggling.<br />
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Think about it...if we exerted the same amount of energy tracking Osama bin Laden that we do stalking Tiger, do you honestly think he would still be on the run? Let's get our priorities straight and focus our attention on things that actually matter.<br />
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As a somewhat related aside, I have an acquaintance that is constantly reminding me that he is a "good Baptist". For a long time, I wondered exactly what that meant. Now I have the answer. To be a "good Baptist" in Asheville, you just need to drive to Hickory or Spartanburg to hit the liquor stores and lottery retailers....and whatever you do, avoid acknowledging people that act like they think you are their next door neighbor!Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-33016540226293730892010-02-22T08:11:00.001-05:002010-02-22T08:20:47.150-05:00The Latest Politically Correct InsanityFriday morning has come and gone. Tiger has issued an apology to the world, but the burning question remains....WHY? Whatever his foibles, whatever his transgressions, they have no bearing nor do they concern you, me or anyone beyond his family and the families of the other people involved. Perhaps his corporate sponsors feel they are due one...perhaps even rightfully so, but that could easily have been done in private, beyond the prying eyes of the world.<br />
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Tiger Woods is a man, nothing more, nothing less. He isn't a god, he isn't the President of the United States, he is simply an individual that plays golf and plays it extremely well. Unfortunately, much of the world seems to have lost track of this very important perspective. If Tiger has a bad day, makes a mistake or even fails to win....the world is not going to go to war, Armageddon is not going to be triggered, nor is life as we know it going to end. <br />
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Honestly, can any of you say you slept better Friday night in light of Tiger's public humiliation?Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-91696915336689392332009-12-24T13:51:00.001-05:002009-12-24T13:52:56.893-05:00On Christmas and AmericaIn 1776, our forefathers created a new country, which they declared to be the United States of America. In the process of creating this new country, the wise men drafted an amazing document entitled the Constitution of the United States of America. This new document was filled with freedom, liberty, hope and promise.<br />
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Included in this document are a series of amendments that grant further specific rights and clarify others. Unfortunately, we have a group of idiots that call themselves lawyers that feel it necessary to over-think what our founding fathers had in mind. The issue specifically at hand is contained in the First Amendment to the Constitution. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." This amendment is commonly referred to as directing the separation of church and state.<br />
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Let's talk about what they really meant and how it actually effects us. All this document actually says is that Congress shall not enact any law that restricts the formation of a new religion or the right of the people to practice that religion. It may also be interpreted to mean that the government does not specifically sponsor any one religion as being the "supreme" religion. In real world terms, what were they thinking?<br />
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The answer is very simple. At the time the United States was founded, there had been a number of years of religious turmoil in Europe. Most of the religions were based on Christianity or the belief in God and his son, Jesus Christ. One church in particular concerned many people of the time, that being the Roman Catholic Church. It wasn't a question of the Catholics being bad or anything of that nature, but instead it was an issue with the structure of the religion itself. Within the church, there is a supreme member, called the Pope. Over the centuries, the Pope(s) became very powerful figure(s) and directed the members of the church in matters beyond the spiritual. It is these matters beyond the spiritual that concerned our founding fathers. Their intent was to create a government free of outside influence, in particular, one that would not be dictated to by a head of state or religion in a foreign land, but instead would be governed solely by Americans living in America.<br />
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So, what does all this have to do with Christmas? Once again, extremists have decided that the First Amendment says something that it really doesn't. They have decided that there can be no religion in America at all...no prayer in school, no ten commandments in a courthouse and no Christmas in America. These idiots need to go back and read the Constitution again...America was founded by Christians. Christians that, in their infinite wisdom, decreed that all religions would be free to practice within the confines of our country, including all those religions that make up Christianity! One of the other very important tenets of the Constitution pertains to majority rule. Read up...virtually every function of the Constitution and the Government of this nation are based on the will of the majority. Therefore, if the majority of Americans wish to celebrate Christmas, that is their right...granted to them under the Constitution. By the same token, other religions are also free to celebrate their holidays, feasts and festivals as well. <br />
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Go forth and be of good cheer....celebrate Christmas, celebrate Hanukkah, celebrate Solstice, celebrate Kwanzaa or Festivus or any other made up event you want. Just remember that I have a right to celebrate and enjoy my holiday...and I will remember and respect your rights too. However, if you think for one minute that Christmas in America should be stopped because one Atheist thinks it should....you are sadly mistaken. That one Atheist has the freedom to not participate in my celebration, but he does not have the right to stop my celebration. That folks, is the very important distinction that the lawyers of the world seem to have lost sight of.<br />
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Merry Christmas and may God bless each and everyone one of us! Be sure and take a moment of your time during this busy holiday season to remember those brave men and women serving our nation in far away places. May God bless and protect them too.<br />
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P.S. Don't forget to leave a snack for Santa!Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-69580978385990536812009-09-17T08:33:00.003-04:002009-09-17T09:06:22.145-04:00Health Care, Education and other Federal Benefits for Illegal AliensI find it very interesting that people keep using the same lame argument, "your parents and grandparents came from somewhere" when the subject of dealing with benefits for illegal aliens comes up. The vast majority of Americans can trace their ancestors back several generations and in most cases can show that their ancestors came to America legally...they sought permission to enter this country and become citizens. More importantly, they didn't expect the government to hand them a new life on a silver platter.<br /><br />Since the ultra-liberals want to keep using our grandparents as an example, let's take a look at the facts. There was no government health care plan in those days. You paid the doctor. There was no student aid or subsidized education, you attended public school as long as your family could afford to have you not bringing in an income, then you went to work until you could afford to go on to school, which in the case of most people of that era was never. When you wanted to get a job, a driver's license or anything else that required an application....the form was in English and you either learned enough English to get by or you did without. We didn't print forms in German, French, Italian, Polish, Japanese, Chinese or any other language. If you wanted to be an American, you learned the American way and adopted it...not a complicated concept. While we are on the subject, what about all the people that can trace their roots back to Native Americans? I suppose they don't deserve any rights because they have been here too long.<br /><br />Seriously, why do we now cater to people that refuse to learn our language, our laws or our way of life? Why is someone that comes to our country illegally entitled to more rights and benefits than a citizen? What next? Are we going to take the alleged terrorists that are currently detained in Guantanamo and set them up in a Holiday Inn? Maybe we should give them flying lessons while we are at it. It is time to wake up, to speak up and to stand up for what is right, what is fair and what we can afford.Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828784324885268991.post-38480385150159991142009-09-12T00:18:00.007-04:002009-09-12T01:06:44.581-04:009/11Every year I expect it to get easier. Every year I expect to wake up and not want to hunt down the scum sucking vermin that felt it appropriate to take away our innocence. Every year I hope some idiot politician isn't going to tell me that we no longer need a military and we can just go forth and sprinkle sugar and honey on the rest of the world and they will love us.<br /><br />Guess what....8 years have passed and it hasn't happened. My friends and colleagues are still dead. Many of those that went to help the dead and dying are now dying themselves, a very real and brutal by-product of the rescue and recovery process. I still want to personally string Osama bin Laden up by his scraggly beard, hook a set of jumper cables to his testicles and give him a little jolt every so often. I'd like every single American to have a remote control button they could press whenever they wanted...to give him a thrill too. I'd like to personally slap some sense into Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton and every other bleeding heart that thinks you can make friends with terrorists or that they deserve the same rights and freedoms as Americans. They deserve nothing more than what they would get in their own country. They deserve no protection under the Geneva Accords...they represent no country, no government or state. They deserve to be treated by the same rules their victims and intended victims were treated to by them. They waged war on civilians, as civilians....time to pay the piper.<br /><br />We need to draw the line with rogue nations. You are either on our team or you aren't. Pakistan....don't expect another cent in US aid until you turn over the people hiding within your borders. The same needs to apply for all these other places that don't want to help, but want our money...you want us to support you, then damn it, get off your asses and start supporting us. How long can your people eat sticks, weeds and dirt before they revolt? You want something from us...then give us something in return. Americans need to overcome their collective naïveté and understand that these people don't like us and never will...no matter how many times we kiss their asses, no matter how much money, food and medicine we give them or how many times we save them from being bombed back to the stone ages by other nations that are sick of their attitudes.<br /><br />We can't even take care of Americans. We need a viable health care solution for this country and instead we have idiots dreaming up ways to complicate the process. Medicare and Medicaid have gotten so complex that doctors routinely spend a portion of nearly every day trying to get an opinion from some lawyer in Washington on how to treat their patients. Doctors should decide medical care, not lawyers. Just another example of how messed up this country has gotten. When it comes time to vote, people need to wake up and elect officials that are going to represent the interests of Joe Average citizen, not just the wealthy and arrogant.Dan Houckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376658952897657315noreply@blogger.com0